The Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar, has urged for more decisive action in addressing climate change. Speaking at a side event during the Post-COP29 forum at Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) 2025, held at the Ministry of Water and Environment headquarters in Luzira, Kampala, she emphasized the urgency of scaling up climate interventions.
“We need bolder action in combating the climate crisis. It’s high time we took COP seriously and amplified our efforts,” Hon. Anywar stated.
Uganda Water and Environment Week: A Platform for Action
Since its inception in 2018, UWEWK has served as a key platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and dialogue on enhancing Uganda’s water and environmental resources.
This year’s event, themed ‘Water and Environment Resources for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Livelihoods,’ provided an opportunity to assess progress made since COP29, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
At COP29, Uganda focused on eight key negotiation areas: Adaptation and Loss & Damage, Mitigation and Article 6, Climate Finance, Technology Development and Transfer, Capacity Building, Gender and Climate Change, Agriculture, and Legal Compliance.
Government’s Commitment Amidst Global Challenges
Minister Anywar reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to climate action despite financial challenges and the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations.
“We are aware of the injustices affecting developing countries. Africa is rich in biodiversity, playing a crucial role in offsetting emissions from industrialized nations,” she noted.
She acknowledged progress made at COP29, particularly in securing renewed commitments towards the $100 billion annual climate finance target.
However, she stressed that the new Baku Climate Unity Pact—which includes a global climate finance goal of $1.3 trillion per year for developing countries and a developed-nation commitment to mobilizing at least $300 billion by 2035—remains inadequate relative to actual financial needs.
Parliamentary and Donor Support for Climate Goals
Hon. Buyika Lawrence Songa, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, emphasized the need for Uganda to stay focused on achieving its COP29 targets.
“This forum allows us to reflect on our commitments made in Azerbaijan. We must identify gaps and make necessary adjustments to meet our priorities. On financing, we must strive for transparency and ensure funds reach the intended projects without intermediaries,” he said.
Ole Dahl Rasmussen, Co-chair of the Environment and Climate Change Donor Partner Group, reaffirmed international support for Uganda’s climate efforts.
“We are satisfied with COP29’s outcome, especially the new climate finance goal. There is still much work to be done, but we are committed to ensuring Uganda benefits from these funding streams,” Rasmussen said.
Breakthroughs in Carbon Trading and Natural Resource Management
Margaret Athieno Mwebesa, Commissioner for Climate Change and Uganda’s UNFCCC National Focal Person, highlighted progress made at COP29, particularly in carbon trading regulations under Article 6.
“There were key breakthroughs, especially in carbon trading rules. Uganda is well-positioned to benefit from our rich natural resources, and we must work together to harness this potential,” she said.
Uganda Water and Environment Week: A Growing Initiative
UWEWK, organized annually by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Water Resources Institute (WRI), has evolved into a flagship event for advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and sector collaboration.
The initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan, Vision 2040, and global environmental commitments, including the UN 2030 Agenda and Africa Agenda 2063.
The 2025 edition was inaugurated on March 17th, with Hon. Dr. Justine Lumumba representing the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, as the chief guest.
The event attracted key stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, civil society, academia, development partners, and financial institutions, among others.